In retrospect, Jinder Mahal discusses the contentious tweets posted by Tony Khan.
When Tony Khan, AEW President, reacted on Twitter to the critique he received over the decision to have HOOK face Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship, the wrestling community was abuzz. Many fans were doubtful about HOOK, with a record of 28-1 in AEW, challenging for the title, noting a perceived double standard. As a point of comparison, Khan mentioned WWE’s World Heavyweight Championship main contender, Jinder Mahal, who hadn’t secured a victory in over a year prior to his title match, yet faced no public uproar over his booking.
On an episode of Insight With Chris Van Vliet, Mahal looked back at the moment he became aware of Khan’s tweet. He shared, “I was at home, I think it was early in the day. I think I just did cardio. Drew [McIntyre] had texted me. And I got like a bunch of texts in a row I was like what I got to see this. I opened up to Twitter. And that’s what I saw,” adding how Khan’s remarks unexpectedly added more intrigue to his match against Seth Rollins, leading some fans to believe he might win just out of spite.
Despite the increased attention, WWE decided not to give Mahal the win against Rollins, allowing the latter to retain on the January 15 episode of WWE Raw.
Note: The interview with Mahal on Insight With Chris Van Vliet was conducted before his release from WWE on April 19.
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FAQ Section:
What was the controversy around Tony Khan’s tweets?
The controversy arose from Khan comparing AEW’s booking of HOOK in a championship match with WWE’s decision to place Jinder Mahal in a similar position despite a losing streak, suggesting a double standard in fan reactions.
How did Jinder Mahal feel about Tony Khan’s tweets?
Jinder Mahal took the remarks in stride, acknowledging that Khan’s critical tweets added an unforeseen level of interest to his match against Seth Rollins.
Did Jinder Mahal win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship following the tweets?
No, WWE chose not to have Mahal win the championship; Seth Rollins retained the title in their match.
When was Jinder Mahal released from WWE?
Jinder Mahal was released from WWE on April 19, after the recorded interview with Chris Van Vliet where he discussed the Twitter controversy.
Conclusion:
Jinder Mahal’s mature handling of Tony Khan’s critical tweets about his place as WWE’s number one contender offers an insight into the unique dynamic between personalities across wrestling promotions. While Khan’s remarks could have sparked negativity, Mahal chose to view them as a boon, creating more buzz around his match. Regardless of the outcome and his subsequent release, Mahal’s approach to the situation reflects the sportsmanship within the competitive environment of professional wrestling. The incident also highlights the passionate engagement of fans and wrestling figures alike in the ever-evolving landscape of the industry.